Jack Markell on Civil Rights

Delaware Democratic Governor

Signs civil union rights into law

Delaware's LGBT community is inseparable from every Delaware community. Same-sex couples from across the state came to Dover and made it clear that their healthy, loving families make our state stronger.
With the signing of the civil union law, we said to any Delawareans that regardless of sexual orientation, if you have committed yourself to someone, the law would honor your right to make those decisions together.

Bans discrimination based on sexual orientation

Discrimination in any form is wrong, and I am proud to be signing a law that guarantees civil rights for all. Today's signing is a triumph for the hundreds of Delawareans who worked endlessly to increase equality.

The law adds sexual orientation to the
state's anti-discrimination statute, which already bans discrimination based on traits such as gender, age, religion, nationality and handicap. Discrimination is prohibited in areas such as employment, housing, insurance and public accommodations.